Saudi Arabia Slams Iran for Urging Yemen Ceasefire

FM Insists War Will Install 'Legitimate Authority'

Saudi Arabian officials today expressed anger at regional ally Iran for urging a ceasefire in their ongoing war on Yemen, with Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal marveling that Iran would dare to call for an end to the fighting.

We came to Yemen to help the legitimate authority,” insisted Faisal, adding that the Iranian government is “not in charge of Yemen” and thus has no say over whether or not the invasion continues.

Iran isn’t alone in urging the ceasefire, as the Red Cross, UN aid groups, and Russia are all also urging humanitarian pauses as the war takes a growing toll on the civilian population.

The Saudis insist they intend to reinstall former President Hadi, who resigned back in January but has since had a change of heart. Though Hadi was “elected” in a single-candidate vote with no opposition allowed, Saudi officials are presenting him as the unquestionable legitimate ruler.

Saudi officials also issued a statement demanding Iran stop supporting the Houthis, though they offered no real evidence that such support is ongoing in the first place. The Saudis are keen at presenting the war as sectarian in nature, to ensure the support of Sunni Arab allies.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.